Records

Sometimes When We Touch

Tammy Wynette (epic)

May 05, 1985|By Jack Hurst.

Wynette`s notes on the cover of this album say she ``couldn`t have recorded`` an album like it before now because she would have been ``afraid that my fans wouldn`t like it, that reviewers would pan it, and that nobody would buy it.`` Well, no apology necessary.

With Steve Buckingham, Wynette, one of the most adept and distinctive country singers on the scene for two decades, has found a way to employ all her vocal talents while remaining as contemporary as the 6 o`clock news.

This, the first album on which she has sounded comfortable with a contemporary style, is titled after its first cut, a duet with Mark Gray on which two great singers collaborate on a song (and current single) on which they don`t blend very memorably. From then on, though, the sound improves dramatically, with the other four songs on Side 1 getting better in turn.

``You Can Lead A Heart To Love`` is uptempo with an almost-gospel feel, clever lyrics and uptown country instrumentation. ``Breaking Away`` offers an especially powerful chorus. ``Every Time You Touch Her (Think Of Me)`` is a surpriser, offering slow, husky-voiced blues. And the best song on the album

--written by her old standby, Bobby Braddock (``D-I-V-O-R-C-E,`` ``Golden Ring,`` etc.): ``Between 29 and Danger,`` a sultry and sassy one that might have been written for Lacy J. Dalton.

The quality thins out considerably when the record is turned over, but Side 2 neverthless begins memorably with ``It`s Only Over For You,`` a fine contemporary-style ballad.

In this album, producer Buckingham has let her use her all-out, emotional style one contemporary material and backed it with energetic instrumentation. The result is a winner.